In Perth, 'picnic' and 'barbecue' are practically synonymous. Find the good picnic spots and you’re almost certain to find a barbecue too. There are public barbecues in parks and along the river foreshore, and beach BBQ areas hogging some of the best sunset pinic spots in Perth.
On the other hand, taking your own pre-prepared food gives you more freedom to explore out-of-the-way places for romantic picnics or an adventurous family day out. There are also a number of summer events in Perth that invite you to bring a picnic, and plenty of outdoor activities you can combine with an alfresco meal on the grass.
For a twist on the traditional picnic, discover AmazingCo Experiences Mystery Picnic - a self-guided food and adventure experience that turns your day out into a delicious scavenger hunt. Solve clues on your smartphone to uncover hidden local gems, collect gourmet goodies from Perth's best producers, and finish your journey at a secret picnic spot to enjoy your feast.
From the Perth Hills and the Swan Valley to alongside our pristine beaches or the glistening Swan River, there are plenty of spots to soak in the sunshine and enjoy nature. To help you decide where to have your next picnic here are some of our favourite barbecue and picnic areas around Perth.
Swan Valley & Perth Hills
Mandoon Estate, Swan Valley
Wineries & Cideries
Several wineries in the Swan Valley have lovely picnic spots and offer gourmet picnic food for you to enjoy with a glass of wine or beer, including Mandoon Estate, where you can spread out on The Llawn with a gourmet picnic hamper or wood-fired pizza. Nikola Estate invites you to relax under its jacaranda trees with grazing boxes or a pre-ordered picnic hamper. Upper Reach Winery pairs sweeping vineyard views with relaxed bites from the TreeHouse Pizza Bar. Core Cider in the Perth Hills also offers a relaxed orchard setting with picnic blankets or tables and plenty of food options and live music.
Whiteman Park
Whiteman Park is one of the most popular picnic spots for families in Perth. With shady picnic tables near playgrounds, wide lawns at Mussel Pool, barbecues and plenty of open space, it's the perfect place to gather with family and friends and enjoy a relaxed day outdoors. You'll also find walking trails, wildlife encounters and attractions to keep everyone entertained long after the picnic is done.
Gidgegannup
For a more nature-filled escape, head to Gidgegannup, where bushland reserves and waterfalls provide the perfect backdrop for a picnic. Walyunga National Park is simply stunning, with the Avon River winding through shady riverbanks, swimming holes and scenic picnic spots such as Walyunga Pool, Syd's Rapids and Boongarup Pool. Barbecues, benches and walking trails make it a great place to spend the whole day. Nearby, Noble Falls is a favourite with families, offering an easy walking circuit, grassy areas for a picnic and a year-round waterfall that’s especially pretty in spring when wildflowers bloom.
Noble Falls, Gidgegannup
Lesmurdie Falls
Wear some sturdy boots for this one - it's worth climbing to the top of the falls for the view across the Swan coastal plain right out to Rottnest Island. There’s a nice picnic spot that has barbecues and toilet facilities, or you might want to find a quiet nook somewhere to spread your picnic rug and relax to the sound of the waterfall.
John Forrest National Park
John Forrest is a large national park within easy reach of Perth that's a joy to explore with its leafy trails, rock pools and waterfalls - so refreshing on a hot day! It's also a great place to spot kangaroos just before sundown if you have overseas visitors wanting to see these fabulous creatures in their natural setting. The main picnic area has barbecues and tables, or you can take a picnic further along the brook to find a pretty and peaceful spot.
Araluen Botanic Park
Araluen Botanic Park is one of Perth's most picturesque picnic destinations, with wide grassy lawns, shady groves and garden seating scattered throughout its 14 hectares of cultivated gardens. Surrounded by native forest and seasonal blooms, it’s the perfect place to spread out a rug, unpack a hamper and enjoy lunch among the flowers, waterfalls and heritage features. Families can make a day of it, combining a picnic with a stroll along the garden trails or a visit to landmarks such as the Old Swimming Pool, while couples and friends can simply relax in the tranquillity and beauty of this unique hillside setting.
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Perth City
Kings Park
Kings Park is vast and varied, so you're bound to find a good picnic spot. There are grassy areas with play equipment for families, and romantic spots with views of the river and sunset. Within the Botanic Garden is the Pioneer Women's Memorial Parkland with its pretty lake and water fountains - a totally relaxing picnic spot often used for outdoor concerts and plays. If it's a barbecue you’re after, there are free ones at the Pines Picnic Area, Synergy Parkland, Rio Tinto Naturescape, Lotterywest Family Area and Saw Avenue Picnic Area. For a romantic picnic in the evening, head to Fraser Avenue Lawns opposite the Pines Picnic Area, where you can watch the sun setting and the moon rising with views over the river and the glittering city.
Kings Park, Perth City
Matilda Bay
An old family favourite that never fades, Matilda Bay is a fabulous spot on the Swan River foreshore for family picnics and barbecues. In fact, on Christmas Day, it’s buzzing with activity. Get there early if you want to barbecue up a feast! There’s a cafe too for additional snacks and ice creams. One of the best aspects of this picnic area is the numerous trees providing shade on a summer day. The kids can splash in the water, jump off the jetties or play cricket while the grown-ups kick back - or join in.
Freshwater Bay
On top of an escarpment alongside Freshwater Bay is a picnic spot that's hard to beat for peaceful surroundings and breathtaking scenery. The high vantage point provides fabulous views, and the grassy area is shaded by large gum trees. It's often surprisingly uncrowded, ideal for a romantic sunset picnic, and fun for children to explore too, as you can climb down the escarpment to the river edge. For families with active kids, head for the area near Freshwater Bay Yacht Club where there are barbecues and a playground. Another good spot for families is Chidley Point, a few minutes downriver, which has amazing views, a playground, sandy beach, barbecues and toilet facilities.
Point Walter Reserve
Another family favourite, Point Walter is a gorgeous spot on the south side of the Swan River just to the east of Fremantle, which seems miles away from city life. There’s plenty of pinic space, shady trees, free public barbecues, playgrounds, a jetty and walk trails. Swimming here is fun and safe for little ones in the shallows. In total contrast, Blackwall Reach is the deepest part of the river where daredevils jump off the cliff, although you must heed the warning signs here! A safer option is to just enjoy the vista from the cliff top across the glassy Swan River - beautiful at sunset!
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Sunset Coast
Yanchep National Park
The focal point of Yanchep National Park is its delightful lake surrounded by grass, hopping with grey kangaroos. Explore the extraordinary crystal caves and the koala boardwalk, where you can see these cute creatures lounging amongst the branches. If you're a hiker, follow one of the woodland trails through the park to work up an appetite. There are free barbecues around the lake and among the trees, with plenty of space to spread a picnic rug and watch the kids play.
Yanchep National Park, Sunset Coast
Clarko Reserve
A beach BBQ is a must during a Perth summer, and if you can snap up an oceanside sunset too, even better! One fabulous spot is Clarko Reserve at Trigg Beach is right above the beach and has free barbecues, a playground, space to run around and shelters if you're lucky enough to get one. Trigg is a great surf beach, and a few minutes up the coast is Mettam's Pool, which is wonderful for snorkelling with the kids for beginners. In between is the North Beach strip, all linked by a coastal path and little sandy, rocky beaches along the way. One way or another, you're sure to work up an appetite along this delightful stretch of coast.
Yellagonga Regional Park
Yellagonga Regional Park is a tranquil natural escape right on the edge of Joondalup, where lakes, bushland and wetlands create a perfect setting for a picnic. With peaceful open spaces along the water's edge, you can spread out a rug, unpack your hamper and relax to the sounds of birdsong and rustling trees. Walking and cycling trails connect the park's many scenic spots, so it's easy to combine your picnic with a gentle stroll or ride through native flora and fauna.
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Fremantle & Rockingham
South Beach
This large grassy area above the beach has a playground and barbecues, and the beach itself is perfect for swimming. Either side of South Beach are two dog beaches, and there's a dog exercise area at one end of the grassy foreshore. The main beach, however, is dog free. All these beaches enjoy very calm waters compared to those further up the coast, and the Fremantle Sailing Club provides a pretty backdrop. On Saturday evenings throughout summer, the South Beach Sunset Market adds value to your picnic with stalls selling a range of food and drinks, plus live music.
Rockingham Foreshore
The Rockingham Foreshore is one of the city's most popular picnic spots, with Churchill Park and Bell Park offering shady lawns, picnic tables, barbecues and playgrounds right beside the beach. Families can relax while kids enjoy the play equipment or safe swimming areas, while nearby cafes and restaurants add plenty of options if you’d like to mix your picnic with a seaside treat. With wide open spaces and beautiful coastal views, it’s the perfect place to spend a day by the ocean.
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Cantwell Park, Mandurah and Peel
Mandurah and Peel
Cantwell Park
Tucked beneath shady trees on the banks of the Murray River, Cantwell Park in Pinjarra is a much-loved picnic spot for both locals and visitors. With wide lawns, barbecues and plenty of play equipment - including a flying fox, spinner and mini boats - it's perfect for families, while the riverside trails and outdoor fitness gear add something for adults too. Its location close to the Pinjarra Suspension Bridge, Bush Tucker Walk Trail and the historic Edenvale Heritage Precinct makes it a great base to explore the town.
Hamel Eco Park
Once home to Western Australia's first tree nursery, Hamel Eco Park now offers a peaceful picnic setting shaded by towering gums and historic plantings dating back to the 1890s. Visitors can wander leafy walking trails with interpretive signage, then relax on the grassy open spaces or let the kids enjoy the playground. With its blend of nature, heritage and birdlife, Hamel Eco Park is as much a place of reflection as it is a spot for a quiet family gathering.
